Hamas is suddenly making news this morning by suggesting that a hostage deal is now possible, assuming Israel doesn’t add any more conditions, but there are still a few sticking points.

First of all, the REuters report that Netanyahu was headed to Egypt regarding these talks is denied by the Israeli PM’s office.

 
Secondly, here’s the news suggesting Hamas is close to a hostage release deal…

 
Lastly, here are the sticking points according to i24 News reporter Ariel Oseran:

Sources in Hamas tell i24NEWS that there is significant progress regarding negotiations over a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza. However, there remain four main sticking points:

1. Israel demands its forces will remain in five points throughout the strip during the ceasefire period: Three in northern Gaza, one in central Gaza and one in the south of the strip.
2. Israel opposes the release of seven high-profile Palestinian prisoners Hamas wants included in the deal.
3. Where the Palestinian prisoners will be released and for how long will they remain unable to return to their homes, given these are high-profile prisoners, rather than women and teenagers who were previously released to their homes.
4. This is an internal Palestinian dispute – Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas demands the joint Fatah-Hamas committee to administer post-war Gaza will be politically and security subordinate to the PA. Hamas refuses.

Will there be a deal? I guess it’s possible but I doubt it. Hamas knows that as soon as these hostages are released they have no more negotiating power. Which is why they want Israel to vacate the Gaza Strip completely. But that won’t happen and it shouldn’t happen. Which is why I don’t see these new talks making any headway.